Chapter 56: If you can't marry her, you can marry into her family

After dinner, Madam Chen planned to make some more fabric dolls, but she was stopped by Old Madam Fang. "The oil lamp strains the eyes. Don't make them at night. A good night's sleep is better than anything else. Leave the needlework for daytime."

Madam Chen had no choice but to give up.

Back in their room, she said to Fang Wenchang, "I truly never expected Nining's temperament to change so drastically, and for his mind to become so sharp. Life is getting more and more promising. Dear, once we save up a bit of silver, can we first repay the debts I owe my maternal family?"

Previously, the Fang family had been so ravaged by the eldest branch that they didn't even have money to see a doctor or buy medicine. It was Madam Chen who had swallowed her pride and borrowed from her family. Although her family hadn't pressed for repayment, Madam Chen had always wanted to pay it back as soon as possible.

"Yes, let's pay it back first. How much do we have now?" Fang Wenchang nodded.

Madam Chen took out a small clay jar, emptied the coins, and counted them. "We already have twenty-five liang. I previously borrowed three liang of silver from my mother."

"Then go back tomorrow and return those three liang so you don't keep worrying about it. During this time, just stay home and properly make those dolls. The work in the fields is up to me."

"Alright."

Madam Chen put the jar away and stole a glance at Fang Wenchang.

Fang Wenchang understood, blew out the candle, and pulled his wife into the bedding.

While the third branch had already begun their exciting nightlife, over at the second branch, Fang Ling was recounting the events of the day.

"You mean Nining put on your clothes, disguised himself as you, and lured that young master away?" Madam Zhao drew a sharp breath. "Did that scoundrel get a clear look at your face? Was Nining hurt?"

"No, Nining came back very early, and that young master couldn't find anyone. Mother, Nining is truly wonderful. If it weren't for him, I don't know what kind of trouble I would have run into today."

Madam Zhao pulled Fang Ling into her arms. Even though she hadn't been present, just hearing Fang Ling recount it made her heart flutter with lingering fear.

"Thank goodness, thank goodness."

Fortunately, they had never taken Fang Ling to town before, otherwise, had she really caught the eye of that bastard, wouldn't they have simply had to watch their daughter snatched away?

Fang Wenqin knitted his brows tightly. "We shouldn't go to town anymore next time. If Nining hadn't been clever, there's no telling what might have happened. Wife, treat Nining better from now on. He really is different from before. Even the village chief said Nining will have a great future ahead of him."

Madam Zhao nodded. "I know, don't worry, husband. Lingling, don't mention this matter to anyone else, including your grandmother, understand?"

"Mm, Nining also told me not to tell Grandmother, but to tell you both. By the way, Nining said he wants me to learn to read and find a master to teach me how to make mechanisms. Father, I... I want to learn." Fang Ling mustered up her courage.

Fang Wenqin and Madam Zhao exchanged a glance and spoke in unison, "What are mechanisms?"

Fang Ling whispered, "They are those little gadgets I used to tinker with. Nining said if I learn them well, I will have a great future."

"But is it proper for a girl to learn such things?"

"I... I don't know, but I want to learn."

Fang Ling lowered her head, her heart beating fast.

This was the first time she had made a request to her parents, summoning the courage of a lifetime.

"Lingling, your mother and I don't know what mechanisms are either, but if you want to learn, then learn. Your parents will give you what you want within our capabilities." Fang Wenqin did not object. Since Fang宁 said it was good, it must be good.

Fang Nining's successive displays of cleverness and ability made the naturally honest Fang Wenqin trust him from the bottom of his heart.

He believed that everything Fang Nining said was right.

Seeing her husband say this, Madam Zhao also nodded. "Your father is right. If you want to learn, then learn."

"Thank you, Father; thank you, Mother." Fang Ling hadn't expected them to actually agree, and she hugged Madam Zhao tightly in joy.

Madam Zhao smiled helplessly at her husband. "This child, why is she starting to act like Nining?"

Fang Nining sneezed.

Siyu Heng, who was still waiting to write annotations, said in a low voice, "Be quieter."

"Young Master, is even my breathing a mistake? I can't help a sneeze, you know. Nitpicking like this means you won't be able to find a wife in the future." Fang Nining complained, paused, and then smiled mischievously, "I forgot, if Young Master can't find a wife, you can always marry into another family instead."

Siyu Heng's temple twitched. "Quiet."

Fang Nining trotted over. "After all, I am your fiancé!"

Fang Nining deliberately emphasized the three words 'fiance'.

Siyu Heng's brush paused, he turned back to look at Fang Nining, and pointed to the space beside him. "Sit."

"What for? Didn't you tell me to be quiet?"

"The night is long, best suited for reading by the lamp. As a 'fiancée', it is only natural to properly supervise her fiancé's diligence and progress."

Fang Nining: "..."

Was this considered lifting a stone only to drop it on one's own foot?

"Young Master, look how late it is. We should just go to sleep. It won't be too late to study tomorrow."

Siyu Heng stared fixedly at her without a word.

Fang Nining felt her scalp tingle under his gaze.

Siyu Heng patted the spot beside him once more.

Fang Nining had no choice but to bite the bullet and sit down. If she refused again, who knew how Siyu Heng would punish her!

Siyu Heng handed over the first annotated book. "Read it. I'll test you later."

Fang Nining sighed, resignedly took the book, and began to read.

She had to admit that Siyu Heng's handwriting was truly exquisite, and he had a thorough understanding of these essays. His annotations were concise yet profound, every word a gem, filled with his own comprehension of the texts.

Fang Nining was inherently a quick learner.

While reading Siyu Heng's annotations, she also jotted down her own understanding of certain sentences in the margins.

Catching sight of Fang Nining writing out of the corner of his eye, Siyu Heng couldn't help turning his head to look. When he saw what Fang Nining was writing, a trace of slight astonishment crossed his face.

Studying required talent.

Clearly, Fang Nining was a genius at studying.

Although Siyu Heng knew Fang Nining hailed from another world, and the culture she had received was obviously different from theirs, she still displayed extraordinary learning capabilities.

Seeing Siyu Heng looking at her, Fang Nining also turned her head.

Their eyes met.

"What are you looking at? Did I misunderstand anything?" Fang Nining pointed to her notes.

"No, I just find the angle of your understanding quite novel. I've learned something." Siyu Heng admitted frankly.

Fang Nining smiled proudly. "There will be plenty of places where you'll learn from me, Young Master. I just don't know the exact format of the imperial examinations yet. Once I figure that out, you'll see just how formidable I am!"

"You haven't even learned to walk, yet you're thinking of flying. Aren't you afraid of falling flat on your face? Read carefully." Siyu Heng tapped Fang Nining on the head.

This instinctive action carried an indescribable intimacy.

Siyu Heng froze.

He immediately straightened his posture and said in a deep voice, "If you haven't finished reading ten pages by the time I finish annotating this essay, don't blame me for being ruthless and punishing you."

"Oh." Fang Nining's brain short-circuited at that moment, and she silently lowered her head to read.

Yet this time, it seemed she couldn't take anything in; her mind was completely filled with the image of Siyu Heng tapping her head just now.

It's over. This was a situation that had never occurred before!

A handsome man can truly distract one from business!

Fang Nining beat her chest and stamped her feet in her heart.